Rotary utility cabinet



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v Filed May 9, 1956 March 30, 1937. P. PARR ROTARY UTILITY CABINET 2 Sheets--Sheetl 2 Filed May 9, 1956 Patented Mar. 30, 1937 UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY UTILITY CABINET poration of Missouri Application May 9, 1936, Serial No. 78,766

3 Claims.

This invention relates to rotary utility cabinets, and has special reference to cabinets of the rotary type supporting a number of swinging containers for various types of articles some or all of which the operator may need for use and which may easily be brought to position of convenient access by rotation of the device.

An object of the invention is to provide a rotary utility cabinet composed principally of thin sheet metal stampings having the frame members thereof reinforced or strengthened by beads or ribs pressed from the respective stampings, and having a number of swinging compartments or receptacles for containing the articles to be used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated with a friction or braking device for preventing too rapid rotation of the containers and for retarding rotation thereof in order to prevent the article from being thrown from the containers by centrifugal force.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary utility cabinet composed principally of thin sheet metal stampings and constructed and arranged so that the entire device may be manuactured and sold at comparatively low cost and, at the same time, be of strong and lasting construction.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the annexed drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved utility cabinet.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view approximately on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig, 5 is an enlarged sectional view approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

, Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the une 1-1 of Fig. 2.

In the embodiment illustrated, my invention comprises two upright end frame members I each of which is composed of a thin sheet metal stamping and has an inwardly extended flange 2 on its lower edge. The corners formed at the union of the frame members I with the inwardly extended flanges 2 are strengthened by spaced inwardly bent portions 3 which will limit, restrict or prevent relative bending of the parts without the application of undue force. Further, the thin sheet metal members I are additionally strengthened by a plurality of pressed beads 4 which, in the embodiment shown (Fig. 2), are disposed angularly with respect to each other. 5

'I'he flanges 2 are connected by thin strengthening metallic strips 5 which cross eachother and extend diagonally from the corners of one of the end members I to the diagonally opposite corners of the opposite member I. Thus, 10 a suiiiciently sturdy frame is provided although composed of thin sheet metal members.

The rotary supporting structure for the cabinets comprises a pair of discs 6 located adjacent to the respective supporting members I and 15 mounted on pivots l. Friction or braking elements 8 are mounted on and supported by the pivots l between the respective discs 6 and the end members I (Fig. 3) and retained under compression between said parts so as to apply a 20 frictional braking action or elect to the discs 6 to impede or retard but permit their rotation. Thus the discs 6 are held from spinning about their pivots but may be rotated by the application of suiiicient force to either of said discs. 25

Each of the discs 6 is stamped to form a number of inwardly extended arms or tongues 9 (Figs. 3 and 4), and said tongues 9 on the respective discs are connected by thin sheet metal strips I0 formed with longitudinal beads II for 30 strengthening purposes. The ends of the strips I0 are attached to the respective arms or tongues 9 so that a rotary frame is provided for rotation upon the pivots 'I. The thin sheet metal discs 6 are strengthened by a plurality of beads I2 the .35 presence of which permits the use of thinner metal than could otherwise be satisfactorily employed.

The respective discs 6 support and annular series of axially alined pivots I3 having their outer ends located in concave portions I4 (Figs. 2 and 5). The pivots I3 comprise enlarged portions I5 upon which are supported swinging end walls I6 of the various cabinets. Heads Il on the inner ends of the pivots I3 hold the end walls on the enlarged portions I5 and permit free rotation of the cabinets so that they will not become tilted or overturned.

Each cabinet comprises an arcuate Wall I8 composed of thin sheet metal bent to arcuate 50 form (Fig. 6) about and attached to an arcuate series of inwardly extended lingers I9 in connection with the end walls I6. The attachment may be by welding. For strengthening purposes, the upper edges of the arcuate Walls I8 have 55 their marginal portions 20 bent downwardlyi against the outer sides thereof.

Thus, a series of arcuate receptacles are provided for swinging movements about their supporting pivots. Each receptacle is divided into a number of compartments by sheet metal partitions 2| having tongues 22 integral therewith,

and extending through complementary slots in the wall i8 and clamped against the outerside thereof. These sheet metal partitions 2| afford additional strength to the thin sheet metal containers and provide compartments into which various articles desired for use by the operator may be contained.

In use, the various types of articles are placed in their respective compartments or cabinets, and each type is kept separated from others by the partitions 2|. The supportingl frame 6, etc. for the pivoted cabinets may be turned to bring to position convenient for the user any of the cabinets merely by applying sufiicient turning force to either of the end walls 6 of the rotary frame.A Thek braking device 8 will prevent spinning or rapid rotation of the rotary frame 5, etc., but will permit rotation thereof as required.

The construction of my improved rotary utility cabinet may be varied within the scope of equivalent limits without departure from the nature and principle thereof.

I claimt- 1. A cabinet for supporting useful articles comprising a pair of spaced upright thin sheet metal members each of which includes beaded reinforcements to prevent bending, a number of reinforcing strips extending diagonally between and connecting the lower ends of said members, axially alined pivots supported by said members, a pair of sheet metal discs supported by said pivots adjacent to said members respectively, and a series of cabinets for articles of different types pivotally supported by said discs.

2. A utility cabinet comprising a pair of spaced reinforced sheet metal supports, elements connecting the lower ends of said supports and holding them firmly in spaced relationship, axially alined pivots mounted in said supports, a rotary frame mounted on said pivots, braking means supported by said pivots restricting rotation of said supports in said frame, and a series of pivoted containers mounted in said supports for rotation about horizontal axes.

3. A utilitycabinet comprising a pair of spaced reinforced sheet metal supports, elements connecting the lower ends of said supports and holding them rmly in spaced relationship, axially alined pivots mounted in said supports, a rotary frame mounted on said pivots, braking means supported' by said pivots restricting rotation of said supports in said frame, a series of pivoted containers mounted in said Supports for rotation about horizontal axes, and means for holding said supports in relatively rigid relationship.

PETER PARR. 

